SVS Prime vs Ultra Bookshelf. Why Spend More?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Now that you've seen the data and the pros/cons of these, if you are planning to purchase these speakers please consider using the following affiliate links. Affiliate links below help earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. Prime Bookshelf: amzn.to/3qy7tN6 (Amazon) tinyurl.com/ymka5nuk (Audio Advice) howl.me/cknJsXxCQz0 (Crutchfield) Ultra Bookshelf: amzn.to/45wnOk8 (Amazon) tinyurl.com/yeyd4w3x (Audio Advice) howl.me/cknJsjpGjkF (Crutchfield)

[@roybatty-]

I had both the Primes and the Ultras before I settled on the Ultras. The Primes needed to be towed in when placed 4 feet apart and sitting about 7 feet back. Going off axis and seating height changes of about 5-6 inches resulted in detectable fluctuations. Very solid speaker overall. If I never listened to the Ultras, I would probably be more than satisfied. The Ultras do not need to be towed in at 4 feet apart. At a sitting distance of about 7 feet they sound best pointing directly forward. Towing them in actually was detrimental. The Ultras have barely any perceivable loss of sound quality when going off axis and changing seating height, within reasonable limits. They produce much more authoritative bass and the tweeters are sweeter. Build wise the Primes are solid but definitely less robust than the Ultras. The Ultras also look significantly more handsome. I have the Ultras in the wood finish. Dust gathering was more visible on the Primes, the Ultras, in wood finish, are very good at hiding dust accumulation and just staying visibly clean overall. IMO, both these speakers are excellent for the dual duty home theater and music listening purposes. Very immersive sound stage for theater and pleasant music listening. I kept the Ultras and I made the decision within 15 minutes of listening to them after having the Primes for about 3 weeks. The fact that BestBuy made the mistake of only charging me for one Ultra bookshelf made the decision extra easy for me 😁

[@TheReverendSlim]

I run 4 Prime Bookshelf as surrounds and thanks to how they interact with my room, I'm able to cross them over at 60Hz. The general trend line you note seems pretty consistent with the Prime Towers, Center and Elevations (and the Satellites I had before). I tailored my tilt in MultEQ-X to match that general trend and that seems to smooth all of the Prime speakers out nicely, dialing down a bit of that forward sound (which I honestly don't hate for movies anyway). SVS is overdue for a new line of speakers though. As much as I dig mine and they're performing very well in my room, I'd like to see them drop a better performing speaker at a similar price point, even if it's just a version 2 of the same design.

[@justinbeamon6624]

Yah maybe bringing Prime Pinnacle bookshelves and center would be cool

[@donlew8222]

I'm using my primes as surrounds in a 5.2.4 system. Love them. My Ultras are in a dedicated 2-channel listening room because they hit lower. Great sound. Love them. Both rooms usually at lower listening volumes. Nothing crazy. Would recommend these speakers.

[@nervouscough7115]

Once again, awesome video!!! Wish I could chime in but for the last 5 years I've been using the SVS Ultra Towers. Cannot wait for the day you get the bigger testing equipment to give us a no-nonsense review of the SVS Ultra Tower.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

You and me both!

[@sturdyvw]

They measure poorly, big dip in the midrange. Cancellation between the drivers, might be able to fix with a new crossover. That being said they have good bass.

[@MisterDoItNice]

The SVS Ultra bookshelf is on sale for $800 a pair, direct from SVS right now. For the same money, what/which other bookshelf speakers would you prefer over the Ultras?

[@seanb3303]

SVS tends to have home theater voicing…which makes sense for them

[@Nick_4i]

What is home theater voicing?

[@seanb3303]

@@Nick_4i max spl for subs and V or U shaped for speakers…extra bass and brightness typically. Of course exceptions

[@tedkay5272]

​@seanb3303 😂😂😂

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

I know it isn't scientific, but very subjective, I love the Ultras over any other speaker I have owned including Klipsch R-15M and Elac BS 243.4. Thank you for your in-depth review and info.Take care.

[@RathOX]

I run 2 ultras, ultra center & ultra surrounds for HT. sounds great. I will upgrade eventually probs to the ultra towers.

[@kirkstarson]

Always enjoy your reviews! Thanks.

[@jari121]

The SVS Ultra competes with the Revel M16, the Focal Aria 906, the Kef R 3 and the Amphion Argon one.

[@johnanderson1536]

I'd like to see a comparison between the prime and ultra center channels.

[@carlosarques]

Thanks Erin. Great objective review. This helps.

[@Boxkerp]

I own the ultra's and actually I own one Prime. I had been planning to buy 3 primes for my theater but then I moved my Ultras from my 2 channel room to the theater because I thought they were a bit brighter than I wanted them to be. I don't think they are terrible, just one specific area. in fact, I would say to my self "if I could tone down that one frequency spot that's touching up my ears, I would be all right. What frequency, I'm not knowledgable enough to know. I eventually bought the KEF R3 Meta and they have the balance I was looking for. I bought another Ultra bookshelf to use as a center speaker so I can have the same 3 across the front, I still think they are a touch too bright.

[@miscreant1739]

Erin's out here doing the important stuff... wishing to my lucky horseshoe and four-leaf clover that the Arendal comparison is coming soon too! Gotta stay up late looking for a shooting star tonight.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I’ve had to hold off a bit while my back heals up. I’m hoping within about a month I will have that video published.

[@harisjaved1379]

Man you are the best reviewer period!

[@PNWDad]

Great comparison! If you haven't yet, I'd love to see you review the svs satellites.

[@cwcole02]

Spot on with the room treatment. I moved the Ultras into a smaller room and had to add acoustic panels to the budget.

[@TD05SSLegacy]

Per Scientific Audiofile aren’t room treatments step one? Most ‘life style’ listening spaces are just horrible for sound? They would 10x bring a speaker with these measurements into the ‘splat zone’ of sibilance. 😅

[@TD05SSLegacy]

Per Scientific Audiofile aren’t room treatments step one? Most ‘life style’ listening spaces are just horrible for sound? They would 10x bring a speaker with these measurements into the ‘splat zone’ of sibilance. 😅

[@adamjj85]

Great comparison on these. I'd be curious how the Prime Pinnacles stack up as the mid level between Prime and Ultra.

[@garavonhoiwkenzoiber]

The Ultra's being almost double the money, I'd go with the Primes and use something like a MiniDSP or EAPO parametric equalizer, or even that program that lets you edit audyssey's result in REW

[@marto2006]

Thanks for the review Erin!! Looking forward to the review of the SVS Prime Satellites!

[@budsmoker4201120]

Great Video, I am Currently thinking about getting the new ultra evolution book shelfs

[@stevenswall]

2:20 Curious what speakers aged the best over the last ten to twelve years. How was KEF doing ten years ago? My Genelec 8260 monitors still seem excellent vs the competition though arguments could be made that Kii and Dutch & Dutch are the new cutting edge. (Thankfully the W371 is also an option from Genelec helping them keep up.) I wonder if there's anything twenty years old that I'd love?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

That’s a good question. One I can reference is the LS50 vs LS50 Meta. The former was released about 10-11 years ago and is objectively less linear than the meta counterpart.

[@FOH3663]

Old studio/mastering mains should be able to hang. Decades old big TAD monitors would likely impress. I'd suspect a variety of JBL's Everest models would represent.

[@Nick_4i]

I think the M2 was released 10 years ago. The Salon 2 is also pretty old. Both are still great, though there are arguments that theyve been surpassed by cheaper speakers from their own brands.

[@trog69]

My aDs 910s were originally built as studio mains and as home loudspeakers they're monsters! The dual-10.5" bass drivers are installed into their own separate enclosures inside the cabinets, producing prodigious amounts of bass. 4 ohms/93db/28htz-25khtz. Best I've ever heard, especially with high-current amps like the Adcom 555 and presently the NAD 208thx (425wpc @4ohms)@@FOH3663

[@stevenswall]

@@FOH3663 ATC and PMC makes really skeptical of even studios... Haven't seen many measurements of larger studio monitors, but I don't imagine the big old ones were accurate if they were the typical "let's slap drivers on a box built to maximize internal reflections and resonances and minimize strength and internal volume." Though back then they may not have known much better.

[@pttthhh]

Id like to see a comparison between the evolution Nano and the prime bookshelf.

[@rf95-n9s]

I don’t have these exact SVS speakers (I run an SVS Ultra Center, with two of their Prime Pinnacle towers and Prime Satellites for my surrounds). That said, your interpretations of the data on these sound like similar impressions I’ve had with my speakers, namely a dip in the lower mids causing a bit of “tinny-ness” and some odd sharpness in the upper vocal range that I’m never quite able to fully resolve with EQ in my untreated, reflective room. That said, the SVS speakers I have (minus the satellites) are all 3-way designs. I wonder how having the separate mid range drivers impact things. That would be cool if they measured better! I actually really do like the speakers when EQ’d with Dirac and crossed over around 80-90hz, so I’m curious if they have the same type of directivity issues (or if they’re entirely different) when compared to the bookshelves you measured.

[@giangpham6348]

Mentioning about age of a speaker design. In my country (Vietnam) audiophile still prefers vintage speakers like JBL, AR, Altecs with the low watt tube Amp 😅 I found them are no dynamic at all and pretty boring

[@starker1971]

The Ultra Bookshelf and JBL Studio 590 are my 2 most favorite speakers. My Ultra Bookshelves seem to have a great synergy with my Sansui 2000. I have noticed a worn needle issue on my turntable. The best I can describe it is static crackle that follows the treble. Example Supertramp's Goodbye stranger https youtu_be/u8pVZ5hTGJQ?t=286 This anomaly is difficult to pick out on other speakers. I think it's safe to say with great detail, flaws become more exposed, and these SVS Ultras are well detailed. A local stereo repair shop I just love helped me try a different cartridge so I know it's safe to upgrade, having eliminated other possible issues causing this anomaly on my turntable.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

Now this got me wondering, is there a brand that has their lower range model measuring better than their higher range one? Would be a great find!

[@johnh3476]

That would be interesting! 👍

[@dan_hitchman007]

That normally doesn't happen. However, there may be diminishing returns if the lower range was well designed in the first place... or their upper tier models are not engineered that great, on the flip side, which makes them perform similarly to their budget model even though they cost more.

[@kiisseli1337]

Kali LP-6 v2 measured better than IN-5 and IN-8 v2.

[@MattyDaddy14]

Wow. This was such an incredibly informative review!! Seriously! 🎉. Btw. Your testing setup is on point!!

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Glad you liked it! Thanks!

[@larschristensen1657]

Nice comparison test. Then it could also be fine with a test of the SVS Ultra center speaker. Now that you have also done a test with the SVS Prime center speaker. Could also be cool with some more center speaker tests, e.g. Monitor Audio Gold C250 which has a small 2.5" mid-range driver, + test of 2.5 way center speaker e.g. Dynaudio Evoke 25C and Martin Logan Motion C10. Is particularly interested in how they work in the off-axis presentation.🙂

[@grandpixel]

You've been covering a lot of bookshelf speakers lately. I'd love to see your measurements and hear your thoughts on the new Neumann KH 120 II monitors. Cheers!

[@danemoreno88]

I do wish they updated the ultras by now but haven’t even so I’ll be buying them again because of all the speakers I’ve had the svs just sounded that good imo

[@G17-911]

The replacements for the Ultras, should be out in another month or so…..

[@danemoreno88]

@@G17-911 yeah I seen thanks I seen the prices for the towers and moved on from svs was nice for a while

[@zefrog7482]

That's some gnarly impedance phase. Admittedly that's not really too critical for a decent solid state amp, but still, going to really contribute to heat build up and require an amp able to supply solid amount of current at a constant rate.

[@tedkay5272]

😂😂😂

[@mw3640]

Love the reviews, any chance of reviewing the Mission 770's?

[@nobody1194]

I feel for the inflated price of the ultras (and they really went up in price over the last 3-4 years) there is too many minor faults for what you are paying for. They sound great I'm sure but I think you can get better for the price paid. In Canada Ultra bookshelves sell for 2460 reg. and are 1890 on sale. That's way, way too much for what you are getting here.

[@tylerflores4761]

****Hello!! Might be a little of a stretch asking a question knowing this video is fairly old now. I bought the svs ultra bookshelf speakers new before they were discontinued & got a deal. Out of pocket i spent $738 new for the pair so I picked them up. Im currently going from a Arendal Thx monitor setup in my living room to these in my bedroom & all i can say wow are they “different” umm not sure if you know Danny at GR research but im curious to see if a kit would help these speakers out. . Instead of just going out & buying a new set of speakers id like to learn more & try a different approach. Any thoughts? If i could send you a picture of the before & after graphs on Dannys page it seems it looks like a good idea. Thanks!

[@ps.shots.93]

Awhile ago I bought the ultras because everyone seemed to be hyping them up and gave them a listen and I absolutely hated the way thsy sounded and immediately wanted to return them!

[@joshblank1]

Kef Q150 vs SVS Prime? Mostly Rock & Metal

[@tedkay5272]

Kef Q150 are very good. I played a lot of rock. I sent them back and stuck with SVS Ultras.

[@Mayhemz.95]

Thoughts on running the svs prime bookshelf as a front 3? I seen 3 for sale on ebay for £450, might be able to get them under £400

[@kennethz3366]

Wow. Im surprise they have auch a wide horizontal dispersion without using waveguide.

[@dan_hitchman007]

Waveguides actually often narrow and control the dispersion of the tweeter. A flat baffle has a wider dispersion, but sometimes introduces other issues. There are tradeoffs.

[@crazydwarfer]

Thanks, awesome comparison. BTW, can I ask you a question? Do you have a recommendation on a budget friendly speaker setup for a bed layer of a dedicated home theater? Would Emotiva T2+ for front LCR and B1+ for surrounds (as well as .4 ATMOS channels) be a good choice judging from a price/performance perspective?

[@davidhoover2446]

Can you do the SVS Ultra Tower?

[@kobush18]

Great review 👍

[@shipsahoy1793]

😵‍💫Erin, somebody did a subjective only speaker comparison to arrive at conclusions based on a few music choices that were nothing that I would listen to. Hence, would you assume they their “assessments” would be valid for music they don’t like ?! 🤣🤣

[@christisdale9977]

did you or will you be comparing the prime tower vs the pinnacles?

[@TokeBoisen]

Are there any news on SVS refreshing these series any time soon? It seems they aren't in a hurry to do that, but still.

[@dan_hitchman007]

If they are selling fine, I doubt SVS wants to spend the money on more R&D, even though they probably should.

[@G17-911]

The replacements will be out in another month or so…

[@BuckeyeMCS]

I heard you mention early on about alternatives. Are they in the same price range?

[@dan_hitchman007]

If you are searching for a bookshelf speaker in this relative price range, you might want to take a look at Outlaw Audio's LCRv2. They are actually Snell Acoustics Monitor Series 7 clones from the same Snell design team, including the well known speaker designer Joseph DAppolito. Snell's normally had a great reputation when they were still officially in business. Erin hasn't reviewed them, but Audioholics did so quite thoroughly with similar data analysis and they said these speakers were excellent performers for the price and could even handle being used in a larger room with a subwoofer. They're much smoother and less pronounced in the treble region than the SVS Primes and Ultras too, so more neutral and musical. I own two pairs myself. They come in a satin black finish and are fairly basic looking MTM speakers, but the sound quality is noteable. They put the R&D money into what counts. Like any MTM DAppolito design, you really need to place them vertically for the best dispersion pattern. You would use the same speaker for the center channel as well.

[@simonkourounis199]

Erin what are your feelings on using 3 bookshelfs for LCR under a 77 inch OLED?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

That’s usually a better idea than using a typical center channel.

[@simonkourounis199]

@@ErinsAudioCorner I got the idea from watching Youthman over at Pradigm when they put 3 founders LCR speakers under the tv. There is also the Goldenear XL Arrat and Paradigm decor,,,,you have any advice lol.

[@harryburnett7086]

It's hard to understand your graphs , but love your channel ,I wish you had the way Danny from gr research

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Hey there. I have a playlist that explains how to read the data here: m.kzbin.info/aero/PLnIxFR_ey0b37Ex4KV2mBz-kYB7QLffR1

[@JuXuS1]

will you review the triangles or did you allready?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I plan to.

[@harisjaved1379]

Hi Erin if I send you an ultra center channel, can you review and measure it? Thanks

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I think I already did.

[@wswsn7396]

Both of them sounds bright in slightly different ways, not good.

[@TD05SSLegacy]

Looks are subjective. But in that dept these need a refresh as well IMHO. Not digging the darth retro look of 10 years ago.

[@ze_german2921]

I purchased a SVS speaker set, I was sold 4 ultra, two for the front and two for the rear corners. I wanted the ultra for Stereo listening but feel the two for the rear might be overkill. You think I can just go with two Prime at half the cost for the rear channels?

[@JayyBird93]

Rears don’t need to be high end speakers. I was also this way with my Klipsch set up. With my Ultras I bought a $100 set of rears from Amazon. They work just fine for the occasional plane, gun shot, glass, etc etc

[@moniack]

I would just get the Primes for the rear and put the extra money towards a sub.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

I find SVS bright

[@ec6843]

Imagine paying $1200 for speakers that still have visible fasteners for the grilles. SVS must be smoking the good stuff.

[@paulgood2218]

I could care less if a 1200 speaker has visible fasteners it I'm buying it only because it sounds like a 1200 or better speaker .

[@ChadAV69]

SVS has been smoking crack for the past 5 years

[@bkrhino1]

SVS offers a good product coupled with an excellent customer service department.

[@augustinvaclavik6282]

It's taste peice,some like it, some don't, I do....who cares? Whats your point?

[@njrumenos]

SVS speakers really come to life when you install the GR Research crossover upgrade kits, this is facts.

[@alexfoxpoker]

Good new SVS. Is the release of new active SVS Ultra planned, and is it worth waiting for them or buy these. There is an amplifier. And in the new active speakers 5''